Category Archives: Government

Government, Language, Politics

PRESIDENT AQUINO’S SPEECH IN CHICAGO: FILIPINO AMERICANS CRY FOUL

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Aquino speaking at gathering in Chicago on May 6, 2015 (Photo credit: Rose Tibayan)
Aquino speaking at a gathering in Chicago on May 6, 2015 (Photo credit: Rose Tibayan)

CHICAGO, Illinois (The Adobo Chronicles) – President NoyNoy Aquino spoke before a small group of 300 Americans, mostly Filipino Americans, in Chicago tonight, as part of what the Philippine Consulate is calling a ‘working visit’ by the Philippine head of state.

During his speech at the J.W. Marriott, Aquino talked about his administration’s accomplishments in bringing about economic progress for the Philippines.  He was, of course, referring to the economic progress for the rich,  not the 99% of middle class and poor Filipinos.

But the bigger issue was that Aquino delivered his speech in Tagalog which 90% of his audience didn’t understand because they were Americans or Filipino Americans who didn’t speak the language.

Aquino is known for delivering his speech in Tagalog.

Reacting to criticism from non-Tagalog speaking Filipino Americans, Aquino said, “You don’t matter to me. You are not Philippine voters.  You’re not my bosses.”

Aquino is famous for referring to the Filipino  voters as his bosses.

A Filipino American commented on his Facebook page that Aquino’s ‘working visit’ was merely to justify his trip to Las Vegas to watch the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight.

The Adobo Chronicles could not independently confirm if Aquino was, indeed, present at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to personally witness the “Fight of the Century.”

Government, Sports

BREAKING: NEVADA ATHLETIC COMMISSION VOIDS MAYWEATHER WIN OVER PACQUIAO

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imageLAS VEGAS, Nevada (The Adobo Chronicles) – Until last weekend, it was billed the ‘Fight of the Century.’ But days after the Pacquiao-Mayweather welterweight fight unfolded in Las Vegas, it is now being called names like ‘Scam of the Century,’ and ‘Scandal of the Century.’

Today, in an unprecedented  move, the Nevada Athletic Commission voided the unanimous decision win by Mayweather over Pacquiao.

“There’s just too many missteps leading to and during the fight and we cannot sit here and just do nothing,” Commission Chairman Francisco Aguilar told The Adobo Chronicles.

In voiding the fight results, Aguilar presented a laundry list of what went wrong:

  • The Pacquiao camp did not disclose the  Filipino boxer’s rotator cuff injury in the pre-fight medical questionnaire.
  • The Pacquiao camp alleged that Manny was denied a legal injection to relieve the pain from his injured shoulder.
  • In addition to filling out the  medical questionnaire, both Pacquiao and Mayweather should have been examined by an independent medical doctor.
  • While both boxers weighed under 147 pounds during the official weigh-in on Friday, Pacquiao and Mayweather weighed way over the welterweight maximum weight on Saturday.
  • The judges’ summary scoresheet was not filled out correctly, casting doubt on whether it was Mayweather or Pacquiao who scored higher.
  • There were more hugs than punches during the 12-round fight, especially by Mayweather.
  • Both camps violated a new commission rule that no celebrities are allowed as part of the boxers’ official entourage. Mayweather had Justin Bieber in his entourage while Pacquiao had late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel.
  • Three national anthems were sung during the fight — U.S., Philippine and Mexican national anthems. The singing of the Mexican anthem misled many spectators and television viewers to think that Pacquiao was Mexican.

In addition, Aguilar said that numerous lawsuits  against Pacquiao, the boxing promoter and even the Nevada Athletic Commission have started to emerge, and “it is the commission’s responsibility to protect and preserve the integrity of professional boxing.”

RELATED STORY – Manny Pacquiao: From Rags To Riches To Rags

Government, Law Enforcement, Politics

PHILIPPINE SENATOR LEGISLATES FROM INSIDE HIS JAIL CELL

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Senator Estrada
Senator Estrada

MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – It is often said that misery needs company and that corrupt officials want to flock together. Such seems to be the case with one Filipino senator who continues to legislate as a member of the Senate despite being in jail.

Senator Jinggoy Estrada is in prison for charges of plunder and 11 counts of graft in connection with the alleged misuse of his Priority Development Assistance Fund, more popularly known as pork barrel.

Estrada has called on the Senate Blue Ribbon committee to conduct an inquiry into the alleged anomalous activities at the Bureau of Customs (BOC), particularly efforts to raise P3 billion in campaign funds for the administration party for the elections next year.

He filed Senate Resolution 1306, calling for the probe, after the opposition United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) alleged that the BOC was being forced to raise the amount for the Liberal Party’s campaign in 2016.

Resigned Customs chief John Philip Sevilla, however, had denied the allegation.

“There is a need to immediately investigate and address this matter to prevent the public money to be used for a particular person’s or group’s  political agenda,” the resolution read.

Estrada’s critics immediately reacted to the proposed legislation by asking, “What about the public money you pocketed, Mr. Senator?”

The senator, who is the son of former president and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, mainstains that his proposal shows his continuing commitment to public service and his oath of office as an elected official. (Joseph Estrada was, himself, convicted and imprisoned for corruption during his term as president, but was later pardoned by his successor President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.)

It’s more fun in the Philippines.